7 tips for surviving a music festival with kids

You don’t need to miss out on going to a festival just because you have kids.

The music festival is no longer solely the domain of reckless and carefree youth. As we have grown up, our love of long days filled with music has not abated, and nor should it.

As such, many festivals are now broadening their remit to become places that are safe and fun for people of all ages. Meaning you can have a great time and your kids can too.

Events like The Lost Lands, Woodford Folk Festival, Bluesfest and A Festival Called Panama all pride themselves on being family-friendly affairs that encourage kids to engage with the music on the line up, as well as offering standalone kids activities.

The challenge of navigating a music festival is amplified when you’re doing it with kids in tow. But there are plenty of parents out there who want you to know that’s it’s possible, and it’s rewarding.

Susan Jackson takes her daughters Evie and Beth to the Woodford Folk Festival every year.

“It’s our family’s favourite annual holiday,” she says. “It’s a time we can all spend together and immerse ourselves in culture and music.

“I think it’s really important that the kids see music first hand being created. It’s fun to see all different people of all ages, crazy characters dressed up, the kids are fascinated and ask lots of questions.”

Indeed, a festival with children ends up being a completely different experience. Lacking the hardened experience of their parents, kids find joy and wonder in things that the rest of us end up taking for granted.

“The best thing is seeing the festival through their eyes,” Susan says.

“They are so curious, and enthusiastic and we end up doing heaps of other activities we wouldn’t have done if they were there.

"Participating in silly shows, doing craft workshops, and finding all the best ice cream stalls!

“Everyone is so lovely to the kids and make them feel like an integral part of the festival community.”

Of course, it’s not all fun and games.

“Be prepared for the kids to get hot and cranky, it will happen,” Susan says. “Have some time out.”

Danielle Courtney has braved events like Sunset Sounds and Splendour In The Grass with her children Bodhi and Ada and says festivals are very different when the kids are around.

“You certainly don’t drink as much,” she says. “Be prepared not to be around for the headliner if your kids are little. And you carry a bag big enough to live out of for 3 weeks with all the ‘just in case’ things.”

Mat Kertesz, who has taken daughters Lilla, Aria and Bridie to Bluesfest several times, says that you can also expect to see a bit less.

“You have to plan for everything taking a lot longer, especially getting around,” he says. “In terms of planning what you see, you can’t plan on running from one stage to another stage to another.”

The 7 Golden Rules for bringing your kids to a festival:

Let’s be honest, even if you don’t have kids, you should probably be employing these little tips into your festival experience. And if you do have kids, most of these will seem like no-brainers.

But it’s probably a good idea to keep them in the back of your mind regardless.

Pack for all weather conditions:

It also helps to have something to keep the kids engaged if they start to get bored.

“A bubble wand is worth its weight in gold,” Mat says.

Protect those ears

Earmuffs are a very good idea for young children hitting festivals. Even the family friendly events get loud, and that can be both uncomfortable and very dangerous for the developing ears.

Bring food

“Bring lots of snacks!” Susan says. “They are always hungry!”

“Pack food if they are fussy eaters or snacks to bribe them with so you can see the whole set if they are bored,” Danielle says.

Take some time away from your kids

“My husband and I usually have an hour or so to ourselves each day, so we don’t feel like we’re missing out on anything,” Susan says.

And she has another tip that can make that a little easier.

“Go with another family, so the kids always have company and you get some proper adult time,” she says.

“We sometimes have a Mums night out, while the Dads stay back at camp with the kids, or we’ll look after your kids tonight while you go see something, and then swap the next night.”

Try minimising movement between stages

Running from stage to stage to catch a glimpse of as many great artists as you can is one of the great things about attending a festival. It’s not quite as easy when you’re catering to younger minds and bodies though.

“Looking at the schedule and picking which of the big stages looks the best through the day and setting up there tends to be our game plan,” Mat says.

Get ready for the tiredness

You know what your kids are like when they’re tired. There’s every chance those emotions will be amplified in an environment as crazy as a festival, so be prepared for it.

“The kids get tired, exhausted and overwhelmed pretty often,” Susan says. “So we need to factor in a lot of down time and breaks throughout the day, so they don’t get ratty, and can stay out a little longer at nights.”

Trying to push through that tiredness can be a challenge.

“The last set we saw last year was Neil Finn,” Mat says.

“The kids were all overtired and cranky, one of the girls had a nappy leak all over the picnic rug and Mummy’s clothes.

“When we got back to the car, I discovered that I had lost my car keys in the festival and had to wait an hour for the NRMA to show up to unlock the car. Super fun with three tired and cranky kids.”

Make the festival about them, and you’ll have more fun

“Make sure you take time out from watching bands to check out the kids’ activity area if there is one, or other things the festival may have on offer,” Mat says. “Our girls loved the Indigenous dancing displays at Bluesfest this year.”

Susan says that her family manages the festival experience through compromise.

“We split the day up,” she says. “So, the kids get some time in the morning at the children’s festival, and then they have to come with us in the afternoon and see adult bands. It’s a good compromise.”

If the kids have derailed your best laid festival plans, it’s always good to look on the bright side.

“When you have to leave early because the kids have reached the end of their tether, console yourself that this means you won’t have to sit in a gridlock trying to get out of the car park at the end of the night,” he says.

“And a cold beer in a comfy chair back at the campsite or apartment after the kids are in bed is quiet bliss.”